Healthcare issues are forgotten during election campaigns: Dr Purohit

Mumbai/Bhopal : In order to create a healthier and prosperous Madhya Pradesh, political leaders, voters, and other stakeholders must understand how important healthcare is.
Healthcare is often overlooked and forgotten during election campaigns in favour of more pressing issues such as unemployment,
criminal justice, and agricultural issues said Dr Naresh Purohit, Executive Member , Federation of Hospital Administrators at a seminar on “Poll Agenda On Health Issues” organised by the Scientific Association of Medical Organisation, at the Mumbai based Jagjivan Ram Hospital of the Western Railway.

Raising concern on this issue noted Epidemiologist Dr Purohit stated that Madhya Pradesh, the second-
largest state in India, is often referred to as the “heart of the country.” Despite the healthcare system facing challenges such as understaffing and overwork in recent years, it is surprising that healthcare has not become a prominent electoral issue at the national level.

“As the state gears up for the third phase of polling , it is essential to draw attention to the significant decrease in healthcare services. “he added.

He averred that the health system in the state is affected by a variety of issues, including inadequate funding for public health initiatives, a shortage of medical professionals, and inadequate infrastructure.

He pointed that in comparison to the state’s population, which was estimated to be 7.26 crores in 2011, over 8.53 crores in 2021, and is expected to further increase to over 8.77 crores in 2024, a report from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) reveals that in 2018, the state had only 1420 primary healthcare units, 324 community healthcare centres, 72 secondary healthcare centres, and 51 district hospitals. However, a PIB report from 2019 indicates a decrease in the number of primary healthcare units from 1420 to 1335.

He said that the lack of trained medical personnel in Madhya Pradesh was revealed in a
committee on electronic information and communication (CEIC) data report released in 2019.

He pointed that the CEIC report indicated that M.P. had 1991 registered medical personnel, whereas the 2018 PIB report indicated an estimated number of 34347 trained medical practitioners.
“These figures show the inadequate state of the health care system in Madhya Pradesh.”he added

” Although M.P. is making remarkable development in the industrial sector, the healthcare sector has been severely neglected. In the last few months, there has been an increase in vector-borne diseases, and many people have lost their lives due to them. While these illnesses are not incurable, they are becoming fatal as a result of negligence.”he informed.

He revealed that there are many areas in which healthcare needs to be improved. The most obvious issue is the staffing shortage, which causes patients in government hospitals to have to wait longer than necessary. Many pieces of machinery and equipment in hospitals are not working properly. Even though there are many government services available, they are not properly maintained, which causes serious problems.

Renowned medic urged the political leaders to help the medical fraternity maintain the “purity of modern medicine, bring in strict measures to protect medical staff while on duty, reduce GST burden on healthcare products and insurance, and exempt small and medium hospitals up to 50 beds and clinics from the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.

“India’s health system is overwhelmingly financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures incurred by households, the association noted that the funding, provided by both the Central and State governments, currently constitutes approximately one-third of all health spending, with States accounting for nearly two-thirds of total government health expenditure.” he stated

“Sustained underfunding of public sector facilities, and the rapid growth of the private sector has contributed to rising OOP costs on health care for households. Of this, a significant share, almost two-thirds of OOP expenses, are for purchasing outpatient care, especially medicines. Because households bear the burden of the high OOP health expenses in India, more than 55 million people are impoverished each year on account of expenses for ill health,’’ he averred, while seeking increased funding for the health sector and a more robust and inclusive insurance scheme.

He noted that violence against doctors and hospitals is a national shame and that state legislation had been ineffective due to the absence of a Central Law. “Hospitals should be declared safe zones. Doctors and nurses deserve to be protected,’’ he emphasised.

__________________________________________________________

*Dr. Naresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state organizations.)

Dr.  Purohit is also Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies For Kidney Care.